Multiple flip-top cap

ABSTRACT

A cap for a container includes at least two openings. A first top is movable between a closed position in which it covers a first opening and an open position in which the first opening is exposed. A second top is movable between a closed position in which it covers a second opening and an open position in which the second opening is exposed. Hinges connect the first top and second top to the top surface of the base. The hinges are positioned such that neither the first top nor the second top opens beyond a periphery of the base. In another embodiment, the hinges are positioned on a front edge of the base and a rear edge of the base, respectively. A third top may be included to cover a third opening.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a cap for use with a bottle or othercontainer, where the cap includes multiple openings with multipleflip-tops covering the multiple openings. In particular, the capincludes multiple flip-tops that are positioned such that they areeasily opened regardless of the orientation of the cap on the containeror bottle.

2. Related Art

Flip-top caps are commonly used on containers for various consumerproducts including food, cosmetics, hygiene products and varioussundries. Flip-tops allow users a relatively easy way to access thecontents of the container by providing for quick opening as well assecure closure to prevent accidental release of the contents of thecontainer. The flip-top is typically connected to a cap body via aliving hinge on an edge of the top surface of the cap body. The flip-topgenerally opens such that it extends beyond the peripheral edge of thecap. It is preferred that the flip-top is positioned on the containersuch that it opens away from a user viewing the front of the container,since this simplifies the opening process for the user. If the cap ismounted on the container such that the flip-top opens toward the frontof the container, a user looking at the front of the container will findit awkward to open the flip-top. This may affect a consumer's choice topurchase the product including the flip-top cap.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a flip-top cap for acontainer in which the flip-top need not be opened toward the front ofthe container regardless of the cap's orientation on the container.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cap for acontainer that includes multiple tops (flip-tops) such that there isalways at least one top that does not open toward a front of thecontainer regardless of orientation of the cap on the container.

A cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includesa base including a top surface with at least two openings formedtherein, a first top mounted on the base and configured to move betweena closed position in which it covers a first opening of the at least twoopenings and an open position in which the first opening is exposed, asecond top mounted on the base and configured to move between a closedposition in which it covers a second opening of the at least twoopenings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed, afirst hinge connecting the first top to the base and a second hingeconnecting the second top to the base. The first hinge and the secondhinge are positioned adjacent to each other on the base.

A cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a base including a top surface with at least two openingsformed therein, a first top mounted on the base and configured to movebetween a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the atleast two openings and an open position in which the first opening isexposed, a second top mounted on the base and configured to move betweena closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at leasttwo openings and an open position in which the second opening isexposed, a first hinge connecting the first top to the base andpositioned proximate a front edge of the top surface of the base and asecond hinge connecting the second top to the base and positionedproximate a rear edge of the top surface of the base.

A method of making a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention includes providing a base including a top surface, forming atleast two openings in the top surface, connecting a first top to thebase via a first hinge to move between a closed position in which thefirst top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and anopen position in which the first opening is exposed, connecting a secondtop to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position inwhich the second top covers a second opening of the at least twoopenings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed andpositioning the first hinge and the second hinge substantially adjacentto each other on the base.

A method of making a cap in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention includes providing a base including a top surface,forming at least two openings in the top surface, connecting a first topto the base via a first hinge to move between a closed position in whichthe first top covers a first opening of the at least two openings and anopen position in which the first opening is exposed, connecting a secondtop to the base via a second hinge to move between a closed position inwhich the second top covers a second opening of the at least twoopenings and an open position in which the second opening is exposed andpositioning the first hinge proximate a front edge of the top surfaceand the second hinge proximate a rear edge of the top surface.

A cap in accordance with another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a base including a top surface with at least two openingsformed therein, a first top mounted on the base and configured to movebetween a closed position in which it covers a first opening of the atleast two openings and an open position in which the first opening isexposed, a second top mounted on the base and configured to move betweena closed position in which it covers a second opening of the at leasttwo openings and an open position in which the second opening isexposed, a first hinge connecting the first top to the base and a secondhinge connecting the second top to the base, wherein the first hinge andthe second hinge are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of acenterline of the cap.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of a cap in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-sectional front view of the cap in FIG. 1with flip-tops of the cap open.

FIG. 3 illustrates the cross-sectional front view of the cap in FIGS.1-2 with the cap positioned on a container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of an alternativeembodiment of the cap illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 6-7 with flip-tops ofthe cap in an open position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 6-8 secured to thetop of a container.

FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS. 6-9 andthe container of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded rear view of the cap of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 11-12 with flip-topson the cap in an open position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 11-13 secured tothe top of a container.

FIG. 15 illustrates is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap ofFIGS. 11-14 and the container of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates the front view of the cap of FIG. 16 with flip-topsof the cap in an open position.

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIGS. 16-17.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 16-18 secured tothe top of a container.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap of FIGS.16-19 and container of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates a front view of a cap in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of the cap of FIG. 21 with flip-tops onthe cap in an open position.

FIG. 23 illustrates a front view of the cap of FIGS. 21-22 secured tothe top of a container.

FIG. 24 illustrates is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cap ofFIGS. 21-22 and the container of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a cap 1 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The cap 1 is preferably configured for mounting on acontainer, such as the container C illustrated in FIG. 3, for example.The cap 1 of FIGS. 1-5 is substantially oval-shaped, as is the containerC, however, other shapes may be used.

The cap 1 preferably includes a base 10, including sidewalls 12extending downward from a periphery of a top surface 14 thereof. The topsurface 14 includes at least two openings 16 a, 16 b. The openings 16 a,16 b are preferably positioned adjacent to each other in a center of thetop surface 14, as can be seen in FIG. 2, for example. While it ispreferred that the openings 16 a, 16 b are of different sizes, they maybe the same size. While the openings 16 a, 16 b are illustratedsubstantially adjacent to each other, the openings may be spaced furtheraway from each other, if desired.

The cap 1 includes a first flip-top 20 a movable between a closedposition in which it covers the first opening 16 a and an open positionin which the first opening 16 a is exposed and a second flip-top 20 bmovable between a closed position in which it covers the second opening16 b and an open position in which the second opening 16 b is exposed.The first flip-top 20 a is connected to the top surface 14 of the base10 via a first hinge 22 a. The second flip-top 20 b is connected to thetop surface 14 of the base 10 via a second hinges 22 b. Any suitablehinge element may be used. The hinges 22 a, 22 b are illustrated aspositioned adjacent to each other and parallel to each other on oppositeedges of a protrusion 14 a that extends upward at or near the center ofthe top surface 14 of the base 10, however, the hinges need notnecessarily be provided at or near the center of the top surface 14. Theflip-top 20 a would extend over the hinge 22 b if fully extended in thedirection of opening. The flip-top 20 b would extend over the hinge 22 aif fully extended in the direction of opening. Neither of the flip-tops20 a, 20 b, however, will extend over any edge of the cap 1 whenextended in the opening direction. Thus, regardless of the orientationof the cap 1 on the container C, none of the flip-tops 20 a, 20 b opentoward the front of the container C. While the present disclosurediscusses the use of “flip-tops” any suitable top element that ismovable between the open and closed positions discussed above may beused. The flip-tops 20 a, 20 b are preferably mounted in a symmetricalorientation such that orientation of the cap on the container C isirrelevant. As can be seen in FIG. 4, for example, in an embodiment, theflip tops 20 a and 20 b are symmetrically positioned on the cap 1relative to a centerline CL thereof. The line CL is illustrated asextending through a center of the base 10 from front to back, however,is not limited to this orientation, and may extend diagonally, forexample, through the center of the base, if desired. This symmetricalarrangement of the flip tops 20 a, 20 b renders the orientation of thecap 1 on the container C irrelevant. That is, since the flip tops 20 a.20 b are symmetrically positioned, the cap 1 may be positioned oncontainer C in any orientation and none of the flip-tops 20 a, 20 b willopen in a direction toward the front of the container.

To aid in opening the flip-tops 20 a, 20 b, thumb depressions 12 a, areprovided in the sidewall 12 of base 10, positioned under the end of theflip-tops 20 a, 20 b respectively. These depressions 12 a allow a userto easily lift up the ends of the flip-tops 20 a, 20 b to make openingthe flip-tops easy. The flip-tops 20 a, 20 b may include complimentarydepressions, or slots, D1, D2 formed at the ends of the flip-tops aswell. Further, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, there ispreferably a small space S between the bottom surface of each of theflip-tops 20 a, 20 b and the top surface 14 of the cap base 10. Thisspace S allows the flip-tops 20 a, 20 b to flex slightly, which alsoaids in opening the flip-tops 20 a, 20 b.

The container C preferably includes a substantially cylindrical neck C1positioned substantially in the center of the top of the container asillustrated in FIG. 3. The base 10 preferably includes a neck skirt 18that couples with the neck C1 of the container C. This coupling ispreferably accomplished via a snap-fit connection, however, any othersuitable coupling or connection element may be used. In addition, thesidewall 12 may include a coupling structure 12 b formed on a bottomedge that interacts with container coupling structure C2 formed on a topportion of the outer edge thereof to secure the cap 1 to the containerC. This interaction may be a snap-fit or any other desired coupling.While the neck C1 is preferably cylindrical, any shape may be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the base 10 further includeschannels 30 a, 30 b that extend from the area of the neck C1 and neckskirt 18, when the cap 1 is connected thereto, to the openings 16 a, 16b, respectively. Otherwise the cap 1 of FIG. 5 is substantially the sameas that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The channels 30 a, 30 b provide asmooth path for the contents of the container C to flow from the neck C1to the openings 16 a, 16 b. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated,each of the channels 30 a, 30 b is substantially symmetric with arelatively constant width along its length such that flow through therespective channels is smoothed. Where the openings 16 a, 16 b are ofdifferent sizes, the channels 30 a, 30 b may be sized to provide formore, or less, of the contents to flow therethrough, as appropriate.Regardless of the size, however, the width of each channel 30 a, 30 b ispreferably substantially constant and symmetric as note above.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, no separate channels are provided in thebase 10 to the openings 16 a, 16 b and the contents of the containersimply flow from the neck C1 to the openings 16 a, 16 b. The contents ofthe container C may be liquid or solid, as desired. As noted above, thecontainer C is preferably an oval shape, similar to that of the cap 1,however, other shapes may be used in both the container and the cap.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cap 101 thatincludes two flip-tops 120 a, 120 b that are used to open and closeopenings 116 a, 116 b, respectively. The flip-tops 120 a, 120 b areconnected to the cap base 110 via the hinges 122 a, 122 b respectively.In this embodiment, the hinges 122 a, 122 b are connected to the base110 at or near the front and rear edges of the top surface 114 thereof,respectively, such that the tops 120 a, 120 b move smoothly between theopen and closed positions to cover and expose the openings 116 a, 116 b.The hinges 122 a, 122 b are preferably offset from each other such thatone of the flip-tops 120 a, 120 b opens toward or over the rear edge ofthe cap base 110 and the other one of the flip-tops opens toward or overthe front edge of the cap base. In this embodiment, regardless of theorientation of the cap 101 on the container C, there will always be aflip-top 120 a, 120 b that opens away from the front of the container.The sidewall 112 of the base 110 may include thumb depressions 112 athat are positioned in alignment with corresponding depressions D1, D2in the free ends of the flip-tops 120 a, 120 b to make opening theflip-tops easier. An inner skirt 118 may be provided for coupling to theneck C1 in much the same manner as the skirt 18 described above. Thesidewall 112 preferably includes a coupling structure 112 b thatinteracts with a corresponding structure C2 of the container in much thesame manner as the structure 12 b described above. In this embodiment,the openings 116 a, 116 b are formed in a raised portion of the topsurface 114 of the base 110 that coincides with the skirt 118, however,this portion need not be raised. The flip tops 120 a, 120 b and hinges122 a, 122 b are preferably positioned on the cap 101 symmetrically withrespect to a center line CL2 thereof. The line CL2 is illustratedextending through the center of the base 110 from side to side but isnot limited to this orientation. The symmetrical positioning of the fliptops 120 a, 120 b and hinges 122 a, 122 b ensures that regardless of theorientation of the cap 101 on the container C, at least one flip top 120a, 120 b will open away from the front of the container C.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate another embodiment of a cap 201. The cap 201 isstructured and operates in substantially the same manner as describedabove with respect to the cap 101, except that it has a substantiallyrectangular shape. The flip tops 220 a, 220 b have a substantiallyrectangular shape as well. As noted above, while an oval shape ispreferred, the cap of the present application may be provided in manydifferent shapes, including the rectangular shape illustrated in FIGS.11-15. The container C may also have a similar rectangular shape, ifdesired. In this embodiment, the flip-tops 220 a, 220 b are mounted tothe top surface 214 of the base 210 via the hinges 222 a, 222 b to coverand uncover the openings 216 a, 216 b. The sidewall 212 may includethumb depressions 212 a that cooperate with slots D1, D2 on the ends ofthe flip-tops 220 a, 220 b to aid the user in opening the flip-tops. Thecoupling element 212 b at the bottom of the sidewall 212 may cooperatewith the structure C2 on the container C to help secure the cap 201 tothe container. An inner skirt 218 may be provided for coupling to theneck C1. FIGS. 22-24 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the cap 201in which the flip tops 220 a, 220 b have a rectangular shape, however,are somewhat wider than those shown in FIGS. 11-15. Otherwise theembodiment of FIGS. 21-24 operates in substantially the same manner asthat discussed above in FIGS. 11-15.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cap 301. The cap301 includes three flip-tops 320 a, 320 b, 320 c mounted on a topsurface 314 of a cap base 310 that is secured to the container C. Theflip-tops 320 a, 320 b, 320 c cover the openings 316 a, 316 b and 316 c,respectively. The openings 316 a, 316 b and 316 c may be of the samesize or of different sizes, as desired. In addition, any of theindividual openings 316 a, 316 b and 316 c may be embodied as aplurality, or group, of small openings, if desired. As illustrated indotted lines in the top view of FIG. 18, for example, the opening 316 ais configured to receive a spoon that may be used to remove materialfrom the container C. The opening 320 b is configured for pouringrelatively large amounts of material form the container C. The opening316 c is configured as a plurality of small openings suitable forsifting the material in the container C.

In this embodiment, the flip-tops 320 a, 320 b and 320 c are secured tothe base 310 via the hinges 322 a, 322 b, 322 c, respectively. Thehinges 322 a, 322 b, 322 c are preferably positioned in a centralsection of the top surface 314 of the base 310 and parallel to eachother. As can be seen in FIG. 18, the flip-top 320 a is preferablylarger than the flip-tops 320 b and 320 c. The hinge 322 a is positionedadjacent to the hinges 322 b and 322 c such that the flip-top 320 aopens toward the hinges 322 b and 322 c and the flip-tops 320 b, 320 copen toward the hinge 320 a. The flip tops 320 a, 320 b and 320 coperate in a manner similar to that of the flip tops 20 a, 20 b of FIGS.1-5.

In this embodiment, the cap 301 has a substantially rectangular shape.Further, the cap 301 is preferably secured to the container C via thecoupling structure 312 a of the sidewall 312 of the base 310 and thecorresponding structure C2 on the top of the container C. Asillustrated, a snap-fit connection secures the base 310 to the containerC, however, any suitable connection maybe used. As illustrated in FIG.21, for example, the neck C1 of the container C is preferablyrectangular in shape, consistent with the shape of the container C,however, other shapes may be used, as desired.

Since none of the flip-tops 320 a, 320 b or 320 c open over either thefront edge or rear edge of the cap 301, the orientation of the cap 301on the container C is irrelevant. In any orientation, none of theflip-tops will be opened toward the front of the container C.

The use of multiple flip-tops in the cap 1, 101, 201, 301 of the presentdisclosure and the positioning of the hinges as disclosed herein avoidsthe problem of having to open a flip-top toward a front of the bottle.In addition, providing multiple flip-tops to cover and uncover multipleopenings, which may be of different sizes, provides the additionalbenefit of allowing for dispensing of different portion sizes from thecontainer C using different opening sizes.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap for a container comprises: a base includinga top surface with at least two openings formed therein; a first topmounted on the base and configured to move between a closed position inwhich it covers a first opening of the at least two openings and an openposition in which the first opening is exposed; a second top mounted onthe base and configured to move between a closed position in which itcovers a second opening of the at least two openings and an openposition in which the second opening is exposed; a first hingeconnecting the first top to the base; and a second hinge connecting thesecond top to the base, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge arepositioned adjacent to each other.
 2. The cap of claim 1, wherein thefirst hinge and second hinge are positioned substantially in a center ofthe base.
 3. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first hinge and secondhinge are positioned parallel to each other.
 4. The cap of claim 1,wherein the base further comprises a sidewall extending downward arounda periphery of the top surface.
 5. The cap of claim 1, furthercomprising a protrusion positioned substantially in the center of thetop surface of the base and extending from a front to a rear of the cap,wherein the first hinge is positioned on a first side of the protrusionand the second hinge is positioned on a second side of the protrusion,opposite the first side.
 6. The cap of claim 4, wherein the sidewallfurther comprises: a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall underan end of the first top, opposite the first hinge; and a second thumbdepression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top,opposite the second hinge.
 7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the first topfurther comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the first topopposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression.
 8. Thecap of claim 7, wherein the second top further comprises a second thumbslot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hinge andabove the second thumb depression.
 9. The cap of claim 1, wherein abottom surface of the first top is positioned a predetermined distanceabove the top surface of the base when in the closed position such thatthere is a first air gap between the bottom surface of the first top andthe top surface of the base, and a bottom surface of the second top ispositioned the predetermined distance above the top surface of the basewhen in the closed position such that there is a second air gap betweenthe bottom surface of the second top and the top surface of the base.10. The cap of claim 1, further comprising: an inner skirt configuredfor mating with a neck of a container on which the cap is mounted. 11.The cap of claim 10, further comprising a first channel extending fromthe inner skirt to the first opening; and a second channel extendingfrom the inner skirt to the second opening.
 12. The cap of claim 4,wherein the sidewall further comprises a coupling element positioned ata bottom end thereof and configured to engage a container on which thecap is mounted.
 13. The cap of claim 4, further comprising: a thirdopening formed in the top surface of the base; a third top mounted onthe base and configured to move between a closed position in which itcovers the third opening and an open position in which the third openingis exposed; a third hinge connecting the third top to the base, whereinthe first hinge, the second hinge and third hinge are positionedsubstantially in the center of the base and parallel to each other. 14.The cap of claim 13, wherein one of the first top, second top and thirdtop is larger than the other two of the first top, second top and thirdtop.
 15. The cap of claim 13, wherein the third opening includes aplurality of small perforations.
 16. The cap of claim 13, wherein thesidewall further comprises: a first thumb depression formed in thesidewall under an end of the first top opposite the first hinge; asecond thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an end of thesecond top opposite the second hinge; and a third thumb depressionformed in the sidewall under an end of the third top opposite the thirdhinge.
 17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the first top further comprisesa first thumb slot formed at the end of the first top opposite the firsthinge and above the first thumb depression.
 18. The cap of claim 17,wherein the second top further comprises a second thumb slot formed atthe end of the second top opposite the second hinge and above the secondthumb depression.
 19. The cap of claim 18, wherein the third top furthercomprises a third thumb slot formed at the end of the third top oppositethe third hinge and above the third thumb depression.
 20. A cap for acontainer comprises: a base including a top surface with at least twoopenings formed therein; a first top mounted on the base and configuredto move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening ofthe at least two openings and an open position in which the firstopening is exposed; a second top mounted on the base and configured tomove between a closed position in which it covers a second opening ofthe at least two openings and an open position in which the secondopening is exposed; a first hinge connecting the first top to the baseof the base and positioned proximate a front edge of the top surface ofthe base; and a second hinge connecting the second top to the base ofthe base and positioned proximate a rear edge of the top surface of thebase.
 21. The cap of claim 20, wherein the base further comprises asidewall extending downward around a periphery of the top surfacethereof.
 22. The cap of claim 21, wherein the sidewall furthercomprises: a first thumb depression formed in the sidewall under an endof the first top, opposite the first hinge; and a second thumbdepression formed in the sidewall under an end of the second top,opposite the second hinge.
 23. The cap of claim 22, wherein the firsttop further comprises a first thumb slot formed at the end of the firsttop opposite the first hinge and above the first thumb depression. 24.The cap of claim 23, wherein the second top further comprises a secondthumb slot formed at the end of the second top opposite the second hingeand above the second thumb depression.
 25. The cap of claim 21, whereinthe cap is oval shaped.
 26. The cap of claim 21, wherein the cap isrectangular shaped.
 27. A method of making a cap comprising: providing abase including a top surface; forming at least two openings in the topsurface; connecting a first top to the base via a first hinge to movebetween a closed position in which the first top covers a first openingof the at least two openings and an open position in which the firstopening is exposed; connecting a second top to the base via a secondhinge to move between a closed position in which the second top covers asecond opening of the at least two openings and an open position inwhich the second opening is exposed; and positioning the first hinge andthe second hinge adjacent to each other.
 28. A method of making a capcomprising: providing a base including a top surface; forming at leasttwo openings in the top surface; connecting a first top to the base viaa first hinge to move between a closed position in which the first topcovers a first opening of the at least two openings and an open positionin which the first opening is exposed; connecting a second top to thebase via a second hinge to move between a closed position in which thesecond top covers a second opening of the at least two openings and anopen position in which the second opening is exposed; and positioningthe first hinge proximate a front edge of the top surface and the secondhinge proximate a rear edge of the top surface.
 29. A cap for acontainer comprises: a base including a top surface with at least twoopenings formed therein; a first top mounted on the base and configuredto move between a closed position in which it covers a first opening ofthe at least two openings and an open position in which the firstopening is exposed; a second top mounted on the base and configured tomove between a closed position in which it covers a second opening ofthe at least two openings and an open position in which the secondopening is exposed; a first hinge connecting the first top to the base;and a second hinge connecting the second top to the base, wherein thefirst hinge and the second hinge are positioned symmetrically onopposite sides of a centerline of the cap.